The Wolves disposed of the Slammers by 30 points in last year’s grand final and their superiority appears to have grown over summer, with the side thrashing the hosts 117-59 at Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday.
In a sport where, mostly, the scores increase just two points at a time, a trouncing the likes of the Wolves’ 58-point victory becomes a rarity, particularly at an elite level of the game.
For comparison, the NBA record for the biggest margin is Cleveland’s 68-point win over Miami in 1991, while the NBL’s record is 88 points set in 1984 by North Melbourne over Sydney.
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READ NOWThe SBL could not provide the league’s record winning margin when contacted by the Weekender.
Joondalup shot at an intimidating 50 per cent from the field compared with their opponents’ 25 per cent.
The Slammers clearly had defensive issues inside the paint, with the Wolves hitting 52 points up close. New US import Bobby Evans started on the bench in his first game for Joondalup, but played nearly 25 minutes to return 15 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.
Championship forward Rob Huntington top scored with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while exciting second-year import Kevin Davis took 18 points and 10 boards.
South West’s Tre Nichols knocked down a game-high 21 points, with teammate Todd Worthington taking a game-high 19 rebounds. Joondalup’s women’s side also secured a comprehensive triumph over the Slammers with a 75-36 win. The Wolves’ Nikita Martin had a game-high 23 points.
The sides face Rockingham in a rare Thursday fixture at Joondalup Basketball Stadium from 6.30pm. Naming rights THE City of Joondalup has agreed to remain naming rights partner of the Joondalup Wolves for the 2016 and 2017 State Basketball League seasons. Joondalup Wolves chief executive Cameron Britt said the extension of the partnership was “significant endorsement” for the association.